WQXR Blogs List

Never Failed Me Yet: A Weeklong Immersion in the Sonic World of Composer Gavin Bryars

The tape piece, Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet, won English composer Gavin Bryars an international success when it was re-released in the 1990s. However, the depth and emotional potency of the works of this improvisatory jazz bassist turned composer still remain relatively under-appreciated in the United States. Q2 aims to throw back the curtain on this titan of contemporary music.

Q2 is proud to launch Never Failed Me Yet: a weeklong celebration of the music of English composer Gavin Bryars. The festival begins Thursday, April 14 with a live audio Webcast from New York City's Guggenheim Museum of Bryars's 1969 masterpiece The Sinking of the Titanic, as performed by the Wordless Music Orchestra.

Listen in April 14-20 for live concert recordings, diverse daily focuses, performance and interview videos and introductions by Bryars himself to over 40 of his evocative and paradigm-shifting pieces.

Recently in Never Failed Me Yet

Monday, April 18, 2011

As part of our deep dive into the music of English composer Gavin Bryars, we offer on-demand insight and commentary on numerous pieces from the composer himself. Hear the exclusive introductions throughout Never Failed Me Yet followed by the related pieces or listen to the unabridged versions of the composer's commentary in our permanent archive below.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Pianistic virtuosity is often associated with technical bravura. There is, however, a yang to technique's yin and that's musical virtuosity, a topic we explore this week on Hammered! through the complete piano works of Gavin Bryars.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

On Sunday at 2 p.m., listen in to the Wordless Music Orchestra’s recreation of The Sinking of the Titanic, a performance done at the Guggenheim Museum on April 14th 2011, the 99th anniversary of the ship’s demise

Friday, April 15, 2011

While filming material for a 1971 documentary by Gavin Bryars’s friend Alan Power focused on people living in impoverished areas in London, the filmmaker crossed paths with a singing vagrant who offered an improvised and affecting profession of faith with the words "Jesus' blood never failed me yet..."

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Each day from April 14-20, Q2 spotlights the mind and music of composer Gavin Bryars. Explore the many different aspects of a style informed by jazz, minimalism, Renaissance polyphony and constant experimentation.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

British composer Gavin Bryars is internationally famous—except in the U.S., where his works still remain relatively under-appreciated. Tonight at 8:50, Q2 kicks off a week-long Bryars festival with a live broadcast from the Guggenheim Museum.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

What are your thoughts on the music of Gavin Bryars? Are there pieces your fellow listeners should look out for? How would you describe his style? Perhaps you remember exactly where you were the first time you heard Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet? Have you performed his music? What stories about the man or his music would you like to share? Q2 wants to know.